I’ve enjoyed Sharan Newman’s previous Catherine LeVendeur medieval mystery novels so I binged on three more. In The Wandering Arm, Catherine and her husband Edgar solve the mystery of the missing saint’s relics. Strong As Death features Catherine and Edgar on a pilgrimage. All of the pilgrims in their party possess secrets. As the pilgrimage continues, suspicious deaths occur. Catherine untangles the sinister plots. In Cursed in the Blood the murder of Edgar’s brothers brings Edgar and Catherine from Paris to Scotland. Religious and political fractions battle for power and property. Cursed in the Blood won the Herodotus Award for “Best US Historical Mystery.” If you enjoy mysteries from the 12th Century, I highly recommend Sharan Newman’s Catherine LeVendeur series. GRADE: B+ (for all three books)
Newman also co-edited the very good CRIME THROUGH TIME anthologies of hishorical mystery stories with Miriam Grace Monfredo. I’ve read all three of them.
Jeff, I have two of the three CRIME THROUGH TIME anthologies. I need to buy the third one. And find time to read them!
Have never read much historical fiction. I am such a drag.
Patti, I hadn’t read much historical fiction until just a few years ago. I liked Ellis Peters and Michael Jecks. Then Rick Robinson recommended Sharan Newman’s series. Fun reading!
Yes, I like this series a lot, as well as Ellis Peters (probably my favorite) and the two Jencks I’ve tried due to your recommendation. Great post.
Patti – you should try a Cadfael or one of these, really very good.
Rick, I want to thank you for the Sharan Newman recommendation. This is a wonderful historical mystery series!